Burial

The National Monuments Service's description

The townland name Taulaght is derived from the Old Irish tamhlaght – meaning burial ground. Lewis (1837, vol. 2, 150) followed by Hore (1901-11, vol. 2, 1510) records that in digging the foundations for the present Taulaght House, or Thorla House as it was probably pronounced, human bones were uncovered together with what was called a piscina, which might have been a stoup, a font or a bullaun stone. The piscina was moved to the Roman Catholic church of Saint Leonards, c. 1.2 km to the N, but it is not known there now where there is a mortar which is likely to be the item. Lewis postulates that there was a church called Midway here because it was situated about half way between Clonmines and Tintern, but there are no historical references to such a church. Taulaght House is situated just off the crest of a S-facing slope, and has been removed without trace. It is not certain if there was ever a church here.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload: 23 July, 2013

References

Lewis, S. 1837 A topographical dictionary of Ireland, 2 vols. London. Lewis and Co.